Like a majority of people, the Connollys had never imagined homeschooling as something they would do. But by the time, their daughter Elise entered sixth grade they noticed a personality change. Her grades began to drop – first a little then a lot. The Connollys tried to talk about it with her, but Elise was distant and noncommunicative. When the school year ended, and they received her report card, the Connollys felt disappointed and discouraged about the education of their only daughter. They immediately telephoned the school, but everyone was out for the summer. Consequently, they had to solve the problem on their own. It was difficult because Elise rejected talking about school until she finally gave way to tears. She explained having problems with some of her peers and with the character of some of her teachers. The Connollys felt that there were elements like peer pressure and violence in the school environment they had no control over. The next day, they started to investigate in homeschooling (Caruana 46).
According to the sociologist Mitchell Stevens school is “the most central institution of modern life” (15). This means that daily activities or vacations are adjusted and organized around school. Despite this, we can observe a new trend: Parents teach their children at home instead of sending them to a public or a private school. More and more children get educated at home by their parents or, in some cases, by private teachers.
Homeschooling exists in many parts of the world, especially in English speaking countries, but this paper focuses on the homeschooling movement in the United States because a majority of homeschooling families can be found there. Homeschoolers are only connected by their interest in homeschooling their children and not by religion, ethnicity or class. Therefore, the typical homeschooling family does not exist. At first glance, people think that most homeschoolers are fundamentalist Christians but in fact there is a plurality of people who educate their children at home and that is why it can be hard to understand the trend.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Homeschooling Movement in the United States of America
- History of Homeschooling in the United States
- Reasons for Homeschooling
- Dissatisfaction with the Education System
- Fear of the School Environment
- Religious Reasons
- Homeschooling Laws in the United States
- Washington State's Homeschool Law
- Methods and Approaches to Homeschooling
- Teaching Roles and Responsibilities
- Homeschooling Organizations and Support Networks
- Umbrella Schools and Co-ops
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper delves into the growing homeschooling movement in the United States, analyzing its historical evolution, exploring the reasons behind parents' choices, and examining the legal framework governing this educational alternative. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon, shedding light on its motivations, practices, and implications.
- The historical development and evolution of homeschooling in the United States.
- The diverse reasons why parents choose to homeschool their children.
- The legal regulations and requirements surrounding homeschooling across different states.
- The various approaches and strategies employed by homeschooling families.
- The role of homeschooling organizations and support networks in facilitating the movement.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The first chapter introduces the homeschooling movement in the United States and provides context by highlighting the changing dynamics of education. It establishes that homeschooling is a diverse movement, encompassing families from various backgrounds and motivations.
- The second chapter delves into the historical development of homeschooling in the United States, tracing its roots to the colonial era and examining the evolution of public education and its impact on homeschooling practices. It explores the rise of homeschooling in the 20th century and the influence of key figures like Ivan Illich and John Holt.
- The third chapter focuses on the reasons why parents choose to homeschool their children, examining various motivations, including dissatisfaction with traditional education, concerns about school environment, and religious beliefs.
- The fourth chapter examines the legal framework governing homeschooling in the United States. It highlights the varying regulations across states, using Washington state as an example to illustrate the specific requirements and procedures for homeschooling.
- The fifth chapter explores the different methods and approaches employed by homeschooling families, discussing the roles and responsibilities of parents, the significance of homeschooling organizations and support networks, and the options of umbrella schools and co-ops.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The paper explores the homeschooling movement in the United States, focusing on key themes such as educational alternatives, parental choice, legal regulations, and the role of homeschooling organizations. It analyzes the various motivations driving homeschooling, including dissatisfaction with traditional education, concerns about school environment, and religious beliefs. The paper examines the historical development of the movement, highlighting the influence of key figures and the changing landscape of education in the United States.
- Quote paper
- Lena Saliger (Author), 2007, The Homeschooling Movement in the United States of America, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/146494